TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Jokowi responds to the backlash of him granting clemency for corruption convict Annas Maamun. He says it was supported by the recommendation of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

The president defends that the government’s decision to do so was based on humanitarian reasons; “It was granted under humanitarian reasons. But it was only after a recommendation came from the Supreme Court and the president has the right [to issue the clemency],” he said at the Bogor Palace in West Java today, Nov. 27.

The president asserts that this move does not represent the lack of commitment from the government to fight corruption. He says that clemencies or pardons are not often granted by the government.

“You are free to comment only if the government issues clemency for corruptors each day, or month,” he said.

The prison sentence of former Governor of Riau, Annas Maamun, has been slashed one year after his plea for clemency was granted by President Joko Widodo under presidential decree No.23/G/2019.

Annas was found guilty in the corruption court trial (Tipikor) back in 2015 for accepting a bribe in a case that saw a change of a land’s status into a palm oil field.

He was initially sentenced to 7-years imprisonment and will only be free on October 3, 2021. But the president’s pardon will see the end of his incarceration on October 3, 2020.

In response to that matter, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) voiced their disappointment expressed by its researcher, Kurnia Ramadhana; “President Jokowi’s stand must be understood as the president had never established a clear commitment in fighting corruption.”

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI